Too Late for Regret novel Chapter 88

A Hard Day

Chapter 88

Analise’s POV

Charlie was right. Holden has a lot of nerve even suggesting that to me. I’m not going to allow him to stand there and disrespect my husband. I quickly stepped around my mother and stood in front of Charlie. “I’ve already given you my answer, Holden. Just because you don’t want to accept it, doesn’t mean that I’ll change my mind. I won’t waste my time on you or your family members. I never realized just how low you could sink until today. Please leave us alone from now on. Don’t push too hard, or your family will be the one who ends up suffering,” I advised.

I turned and headed for the door, holding Charlie’s hand in mine as we walked away. My father gave a low laugh before saying, “You heard her.”

They followed us out, with my brother, Rodney, Drew, and Jon, right behind them. I didn’t have to turn back to know that the Vaughn family was shocked by what I said. They deserved what just happened to them. They had been playing my family like a violin for years, and they were good. I had to admit that it really seemed like they cared about us. Like, their friendship was real. I felt sick at the thought that I had protected them for the last ten years. I should have told my parents what was happening from the very start.

I was the reason their deception was not discovered sooner. I felt hot tears piercing my eyes, and I handed my purse to Charlie as I ran toward the bathroom. I lost my lunch, but kept dry heaving after that. I sensed my mother enter the open stall, as I hadn’t stopped to lock it. I hadn’t had time. I was angry at myself for trying to protect their friendship. Especially since there was no real friendship to begin with.

My mother rubbed my back and said, “You’re overthinking again, Ana. None of this is your fault; there is no reason to be upset. You always wore your heart on your sleeve. Which is why we all knew how you felt about Holden. I’m sorry that I allowed Naomi to talk me into the marriage alliance. It was obvious you cared for him, so I thought I was helping you out. I thought that we were doing what you wanted. I always thought that Naomi was my best friend. We never argued, and she was always so sweet to me. I should have realized that it was all a setup. I’m smarted than to have fallen for it all these years.”

I stood up from my kneeling position and turned to look at my mother. She was heartbroken by what happened in there. But I could tell that she was more upset about what I had gone through than about losing Naomi. Now that they knew the bulk of what had happened, my parents did what I’d always dreamed up. They stood up and defended me. I can remember crying myself to sleep and wishing for this very moment to come. Now that it is here, I can’t even manage to speak. I’m too overwhelmed.

“Let’s get you cleaned up. I know that Charlie is worried about you,” my mother told me before stepping back so I could exit the stall.

I rinsed my mouth several times while my mother watched me. I got a paper towel wet to wipe my face off. I’ve been nauseous a few times this week, but this was the first time that I’ve actually thrown up. I’m sure it’s the stress of everything that caused it. I felt fine, except for being a little tired.

“How are you feeling?” she asked once I was done.

I answered honestly, as we headed for the door. My mother’s eyes lit up in excitement. I could see that she wanted to say something else, but kept it to herself.

A Hard Day

More forwarda

“I would like to see if you and Charlie could come to dinner tonight. So many things have happened today. I would just like time with family. I can have the chef make all your favorites,” she offered with a smile.

“Okay,” I said slowly. My mother was being overly sweet at the moment. She’s never acted like this before. I had to assume that she wanted me near after seeing what Tiffany had done to me. She was probably really worried about my being scarred by what Tiffany had done. “What time?” I asked.

“Six works for us, if you are good with that,” my mother offered. That’s also odd, she always tells me, not asks. I guess she’s really trying to make an effort.

“We will be there. Do you want us to bring anything?” I asked as we exited the restroom.

“No, I have everything covered. I just wanted to spend time with you and Charlie tonight,” she replied with a smile. This is how I always wanted her to be, attentive and caring. I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but I

like it.

We exited the restroom, and I saw the Vaughn family standing at the door to the courtroom. Hudson and Naomi were speaking quietly together, probably coming up with a new game plan, but Holden was closer to us. The minute we stepped out, he approached. I guess he doesn’t like taking no for an answer.

“Analise, please listen to me for just a minute. I didn’t know what Tiffany was doing. I also wasn’t aware of what my parents were doing. I had no idea that their deception went this far. You can judge me all you want. I admit I failed you when you needed me most. But don’t paint me with the same brush as them. I knew nothing about what any of them were doing,” he told me.

My mother was quick to step between us. “She heard you, Holden. But what you did was enough, wasn’t it, Holden? You hurt her, made her feel even worse than she already did. Not knowing what Tiffany and Gretchen were doing is hardly an excuse. You and Seth both knew that Tiffany had been jealous of Ana since she was born. Yet you asked her to watch over Ana. That was one of the very worst ideas that you two have ever had. Holden, you knew Gretchen liked you. She still imagines herself being your wife. Of course, she would do whatever she could to make that happen,” my mother announced.

“I never meant to hurt Ana, Mrs. Caldwell,” Holden hurriedly explained. If you are reading this on any other app than Dreame, it has been stolen from the author Kat Von Beck. The book’s title is Too Late for Regret.

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“I know you didn’t, Holden. I know it’s hard for a young man to turn down an attractive…offer. This is not all on you. We’re at fault as well. We were so intent on our businesses that Ána was ignored. One of us should have realized what was going on long before now, but we’re going to correct it. It’s time for you to move on, Holden. They love each other. That’s all that Reid and I wanted for her. You should be happy for them. Despite what Ana went through, she still managed to find true love. It’s time for you to accept that as fact. I want you to open your heart to the idea of finding someone to love. You deserved to find happiness, too. It just won’t be with Ana,” my mother advised.

Charlie reached for my hand. I hadn’t even noticed him walk over to me. I suppose he arrived when Holden did. I was worried that Holden might become aggressive, so I kept a close eye on him. Charlie always keeps his promises. He told me that he would always be there for me, and he has been. Every time that I’ve needed him, he was there supporting me, even before we were married. Charlie led me away, and I didn’t look back. I’m not going to give Holden false hope. There was a time when I wanted him to claim me, but that time is long gone.

I used to dream about him claiming me as his. That Holden would show up and rescue me from Tiffany and Gretchen. I could see their furious expressions as Holden would take rne away. In my dreams, I always lived

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< A Hard Day happily ever after with him. Protected from his sister and Gretchen, and having beautiful children with him. He still looked the same, an incredibly handsome man that I used to adore, but things were different now.

I didn’t feel anything for him now, other than disgust. His own actions were the catalyst for my love dying. It hadn’t happened overnight, but it had happened. I carried feelings for him at least two years after he broke my heart. Because somewhere deep down inside, I had held out hope that he would swoop in a rescue me. That he would find out what they had done to me, and make it right. That he would force them to stop

hurting me.

All I ended up with was the knowledge that he never cared about me. He didn’t care enough to see how ! tensed up around his sister and her best friend. Or that I got so nervous that I would become physically ill before excusing myself from whatever celebration was going on. No one had. Not even my own family. There were times I walked back home alone, but no one even noticed for over an hour.

I was branded as being the problem. I was the reason that dinner was always ruined. My lack of manners had my parents ridiculed by the Vaughns. Only enforcing that Tiffany was the superior daughter. I allowed Charlie to lead me away. Drew and Jon fell in behind us as we left the courthouse. My parents and brother stayed behind to prevent Holden and his parents from following us out.

Today had been stressful, too stressful. I felt sick again. I just wanted to go home and take a nap. We drove in a comfortable silence as Jon drove us home. I couldn’t wait to get back there. I honestly wish that I had said no when my mother asked us to come over for dinner tonight. I was exhausted by the time I walked inside. Charlie let Drew and Jon know that they were off duty before following me in.

He silently understood that I needed him and followed me up the stairs and into our room. I took off all my clothes and slid into bed. Less than a minute later, the mattress dipped, before Charlie pulled me into his arms. He had stripped, too, and I could feel his length pressing against me. He kissed my shoulder before turning me to face him, holding me in his arms. He knew what I needed, and he gave it to me. It began with soft kisses, ones that spoke of how he truly felt for me.

His gentle touch calmed me. When he finally slid into me, I sighed in contentment. This wasn’t the regular passionate interaction we usually had. This was Charlie showing me something more than passion. This was like the first time we were together. His touch spoke of the love and care he held for me. He worshipped my body, making my stress completely melt away. I came with his name on my lips, whispered like a prayer Charlie made a few more languid strokes inside me before he followed me over. He cleaned me up before setting his alarm and snuggling up, pulling me into his chest. I fell asleep, perfectly content.

KatVonBeck

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